“My great grandfather was the first to hand over his kingdom to a democratic India. Growing up, we were told that he always looked at the larger picture. That’s something I try to imbibe from him…”
The year 1723 witnessed Bhavsinhji Gohil establish the enchanting town of Bhavnagar and now, 300 years later, we sit within the walls of his palace, waiting to meet his descendant — the princess. Just as we finish setting up the cameras in their regal library whose walls are adorned with paintings of her ancestors, Brijeshwari Kumari Gohil of Bhavnagar glides in — an absolute vision draped in resplendent gold.
But beneath the veneer of grandeur and lofty lineage, Brijeshwari is entirely unassuming, radiating warmth and with a word of welcome for all. Having spent her formative years in Mumbai and currently shuttling between the city and her hometown, we wonder what it’s like to be a princess in today’s day and age…
“I just feel a sense of responsibility to make an impact in Bhavnagar, of conducting myself in a certain way — being respectful and carrying the family name on in a manner that’s relevant today” she reveals. Because after all, royal or not, “we all strive to balance tradition and modernity, right?”
But the challenge lies in determining what to preserve from the past and how to bring it forward into the future. And well, this princess — armed with a degree in Archaeology and History of Art, Heritage Management and Conservation and a Postgraduate Diploma in Built Heritage Conservation — stands as a formidable champion of historical and cultural conservation.
ROOTED IN ROYALTY
Brijeshwari credits her grounded nature and abundant knowledge to her mother, Samyukta Kumari Gohil of Bhavnagar, who also happens to be her greatest source of inspiration.
Denne historien er fra March 2024-utgaven av Hello! India.
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Denne historien er fra March 2024-utgaven av Hello! India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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HEART OF A PRINCESS : ADISHREE SINGH
A CHAMPION OF SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES, THIS BRIGHT YOUNG ROYAL FROM J&K DISCUSSES HER WHOLESOME CHILDHOOD YEARS, HER SPECIAL BOND WITH HER GRANDFATHER, AND HER VISION FOR A BETTER WORLD FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS, IN AN INTERVIEW WITH HELLO!
THE UNSTOPPABLE : NORA FATEHI
She's lighting up the entertainment industry with her dazzling dance moves, hit songs and captivating acting, driven by her ambition to make a global impact. Yet, as she confides in HELLO!, she remains girl at heart, cherishing her childhood friends, seeking a good, god-fearing man, and longing for more time with her loved ones
BOBBY CHADHA
WHILE HIS GLAMOROUS WIFE, RITU BERI, COMMANDS PUBLIC ATTENTION WITH HER BUSINESS, THE DAPPER BUSINESSMAN HAS CHARTED HIS OWN COURSE TO SUCCESS. IN A CHAT WITH HELLO!, HE DISCUSSES NAVIGATING LIFE OUT OF THE LIMELIGHT, FATHERHOOD AND THE SECRET TO A HAPPY MARRIAGE WITH HIS DETAIL-ORIENTED SPOUSE
Sandeep Namboodiry's
The passionate chef stepped into the kitchen at the age of 7 to flip pancakes, and he hasn’t left it since, in spirit. He chats with HELLO! about his chic new eatery Mesa Lodhi, crafting a menu that sparks joy and a dish that delights him
MARIE-ANNE OUDEJANS
OF DUTCH ORIGIN, SHE LIVED IN PARIS, NEW YORK, ROME AND MADRID BEFORE INDIA BECKONED, ULTIMATELY MAKING THE PINK CITY HER HOME. THE TALENTED AESTHETE SHARES WITH HELLO! HER PASSION FOR CREATING BEAUTIFUL PIECES INSPIRED BY HER DIVERSE HERITAGE, TRADITIONS AND CULTURES, HER LOVE FOR FASHION AND ART, AND WHY TRAVEL REMAINS HER FIRST LOVE
RIMPLE & HARPREET NARULA
THE COUPLE INVITE HELLO! FOR AN EXCLUSIVE LOOK AT THEIR SOUTH DELHI DREAM HOME, FILLED WITH BEAUTIFUL ANTIQUES, ART AND FURNITURE FROM AROUND THE WORLD. THEY CHAT ABOUT THEIR PASSION FOR TRAVEL, CREATIVE PURSUITS OUTSIDE OF FASHION, AND THEIR DYNAMIC FAMILY BOND, WHERE CONFLICTS ARE RESOLVED AS QUICKLY AS THEY ARISE
BANITA SANDHU - FROM BOLLYWOOD TO BRIDGERTON
ONCE CONFLICTED ABOUT NOT BEING INDIAN OR BRITISH ENOUGH, THE STUNNING ACTRESS HAS NOW EMBRACED HER DUAL IDENTITY AND IS LEARNING TO NAVIGATE THE WORLD MOST RECENTLY THAT OF REGENCY ENGLAND! ON HER OWN TERMS. THOUGH TIGHT-LIPPED ABOUT HER RUMOURED LOVE LIFE, SHE TELLS HELLO! THAT OFF WORK, THERE’S ONLY ONE PLACE YOU'LL FIND HER: AT HOME, IN SWEATPANTS AND A T-SHIRT
SUNIL SETHI
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FASHION DESIGN COUNCIL OF INDIA REFLECTS ON HIS 15-YEAR LEGACY, SHAPING BRIDAL COUTURE AND LEADING THE COUNCIL, AHEAD OF THE FDCI-MANIFEST WEDDING WEEKEND ON AUGUST 3=4
CULINARY MAESTRO : ALEX SANCHEZ
THE AWARD-WINNING CHEF, KNOWN FOR CHAMPIONING LOCAL PRODUCE, PIONEERING SMALL PLATES AND CONTINUALLY REINVENTING HIMSELF, DISCUSSES HIS PASSION FOR COMFORT FOOD AND EMBRACING FATHERHOOD
Dancing In the Rain
From frizz to dampness and everything in between, revive your drizzle-drenched hair with HELLO!'s round-up of the best products to survive the storm and maintain a fabulous mane all season long!